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Hello! Thank you for checking out this week’s EV North Newsletter!
Welcome to The EV North - a weekly newsletter that brings together some of the biggest EV news stories and delivers them to your inbox. There is a focus on Canada & North America but you’ll also find EV news from around the world!
Also, be sure to check us out on X / Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this issue:
Canada Hits New Milestone with Zero-Emission Vehicle Sales in 2024.
Ontario Supports New Bi-Directional EV Charging Technology with OVIN Funding.
Tesla Canada Adds Affirm Financing for Service Invoices Through Mobile App.
Tesla Robotaxi Launches in Austin with Positive Early Feedback and Limited Rollout.
Octopus Energy and BYD Launch UK’s First V2G Bundle with Free Home Charging.
Xiaomi Launches YU7 Electric SUV in China with Competitive Pricing and High Performance.
+ more!
Canada
Canada Hits New Milestone with Zero-Emission Vehicle Sales in 2024.
In 2024, Canada saw a major increase in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales. According to Statistics Canada, more than 264,000 ZEVs were sold nationwide, accounting for 13.8% of all new vehicle sales. This exceeds the expectations of many, and also marks a significant step forward in the country’s transition toward cleaner transportation.
ZEV sales peaked in September with over 30,000 units sold, driven by new model releases and consumer urgency to secure larger provincial rebates before reductions and cancellations of rebate programs set for 2025. Quebec led the country, representing 53.9% of national ZEV sales. The province’s generous Roulez vert program, which combined with federal incentives to offer up to $12,000 in total rebates, contributed to its dominant position. As of 2024, ZEVs made up 30.1% of all new vehicle sales in Quebec.
Table Source: Statistics Canada
British Columbia and the territories followed, where ZEVs accounted for 20.7% of new vehicle purchases. B.C.’s rebate program provided up to $4,000, further accelerating adoption. Other provinces showed varying levels of uptake, with Prince Edward Island (7.8%), Ontario (7.4%), and Nova Scotia (6.5%) trailing behind. The lowest adoption rates were in Saskatchewan (2.5%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2.6%).
The first quarter of 2025 is expected to show major shifts in the ZEV market following the federal rebate suspension and changes to Quebec’s incentive structure. As provinces adjust their programs, the pace of ZEV adoption may be reshaped in the coming months.
Are you on Reddit? Check out our subreddit at https://reddit.com/r/evcanada
Ontario Supports New Bi-Directional EV Charging Technology with OVIN Funding.
Ontario-based Elocity Technologies is introducing a new smart EV charging solution called HIEV-Nano, designed for multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), fleet depots, and commercial sites. Backed by over $660,000 in funding from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), the project will deploy bi-directional, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging infrastructure to improve grid resilience and energy management across the province.
HIEV-Nano is a multi-port EV charging system that integrates solar power, battery storage, and grid connectivity. Its bi-directional capability enables EVs not only to charge but also to return energy to the grid or provide backup power when needed. The system is being piloted in partnership with Burlington Electricity Services Inc. and Milton Energy & Generation Solutions Inc.
As Ontario’s electricity grid experiences rising demand, especially in urban areas, HIEV-Nano offers a tool to manage load more efficiently. The technology supports fast EV charging while contributing to peak demand reduction and emissions cuts through renewable energy integration.
Image Source: Elocity
In total, the project is receiving $1.99 million in combined public and private investment, with Elocity and its partners contributing nearly $1.33 million. Beyond the pilot locations, there are plans to expand HIEV-Nano across the province, with anticipated economic benefits that include new engineering and manufacturing jobs in Ontario.
By focusing on scalable V2G applications and local innovation, HIEV-Nano is set to play a key role in future-proofing Ontario’s EV charging infrastructure.
Tesla Canada Adds Affirm Financing for Service Invoices Through Mobile App.
Tesla owners in Canada can now finance their service and repair costs directly through the Tesla app, thanks to a new partnership with Affirm. Introduced in Tesla app update v4.46.0, the feature offers flexible payment options for vehicle maintenance, including terms over 8 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, or 24 months, depending on the total invoice amount.
Customers can access the feature by tapping “see if you qualify” next to their estimated service invoice. This opens Affirm’s interface for on-the-spot application. Approval is based on credit, and plans may include 0% APR options or rates up to 36% APR, with some requiring a down payment.
This change comes shortly after Tesla phased out its previous financing partner, Klarna, in Canada. The new Affirm option allows users to split even small charges, such as a $199.50 invoice for tire rotation and wheel balancing, into manageable monthly payments. While smaller invoices may not require financing, the flexibility is beneficial for larger repairs or multiple maintenance services.
Tesla Canada now aligns more closely with its U.S. operations, where flexible payment options have been available for Tesla Shop purchases since last year.
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EV Around the World 🌏
Tesla Robotaxi Launches in Austin with Positive Early Feedback and Limited Rollout.
Tesla has officially launched its driverless Robotaxi service on June 22nd, 2025 in downtown Austin, Texas, marking a key milestone in the company's long-promised autonomous ride-hailing platform. The service is currently limited to a small number of early-access users and operates within a geofenced area of the city. Early reactions from riders suggest a positive start, with many describing their trips as "smooth," "comfortable," and comparable to Tesla's Full Self-Driving experience.
The Robotaxi app, introduced alongside the launch, allows users to summon a ride, customize in-car preferences like climate control and streaming, and track the vehicle’s progress. Trips can be started using a digital “start ride” button on either the rear screen or mobile app. Riders are welcomed with their pre-set Tesla profiles, enabling personalized music and settings for each ride.
Tesla has deployed 10–20 Model Y vehicles for the pilot, each marked with Robotaxi branding. Although marketed as driverless, each ride includes a Tesla-employed safety monitor in the front passenger seat, capable of stopping the vehicle if needed. The service avoids highways, airports, and complex intersections and runs daily between 6AM and 12AM. Tesla has not yet announced when the service will open to the broader public.
Early testers highlighted the system’s ability to navigate real-world road conditions such as pedestrians, construction zones, and U-turns. Riders praised the vehicle’s awareness, smooth stops, and seamless interaction with the app. Some experienced minor issues with pickup locations, and one user reported requiring assistance from a remote operator, who was accessible through a support button in the car.
The launch comes amid growing competition in the autonomous vehicle space. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, currently operates over 1,500 fully autonomous vehicles in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Tesla plans to expand Robotaxi availability and eventually scale to over 1,000 vehicles, with potential expansion to California, though regulatory approval will present more challenges there.
For now, Tesla's Robotaxi rollout is small in scope but you have to start somewhere!
Here are some videos on the Robotaxi event from some lucky participants. If you go on X, you’ll see about a billion more reactions so I’m not going to post them here.
To end this all off - I think this was in general a win for Tesla. No it wasn’t “unspervised” and of course there were hiccups that some users experienced but in my opinion, that’s to be expected. I’m not an Elon or even a Tesla fan, I’m an EV fan and that ends up encompassing the autonomous segment. Also, I would have thought that Waymo would be further on their journey but the second I see the i-pace packed with cameras, it almost too different and stands out too much for my liking.
Octopus Energy and BYD Launch UK’s First V2G Bundle with Free Home Charging.
Octopus Energy and BYD have partnered to launch the Power Pack Bundle, the UK’s first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) offering that combines a leased BYD Dolphin EV, a bi-directional Zaptec Pro charger, and a smart tariff that provides free home charging. Priced at under £300 per month, the bundle was announced at the Octopus Energy Tech Summit and aims to make EV ownership more affordable while supporting the grid.
The Power Pack Bundle uses Octopus Energy’s Kraken platform to automate energy savings. Drivers simply plug in their vehicles overnight, and the system charges the car when electricity is cheapest, then exports excess energy back to the grid during peak times. This not only eliminates home charging costs but also reduces reliance on fossil fuel power generation.
Image source: Octopus Energy
Typical EV drivers using the bundle can save up to £620 per year compared to standard tariffs and nearly £1,000 compared to refueling a petrol car. This is the first commercial rollout of V2G-ready vehicles in the UK with the technology built directly into the car, removing the need for expensive external V2G chargers.
The partnership also includes Motability Operations, expanding access to disabled drivers and making the cost-saving benefits of V2G available to a wider audience. Octopus Electric Vehicles, the leasing arm of Octopus Energy, will handle reservations and vehicle delivery.
The Power Pack Bundle will be available later this year, with reservations now open through Octopus Electric Vehicles. As more V2G-enabled EVs enter the market, this model could help turn thousands of vehicles into flexible energy resources—cutting costs for drivers and supporting a cleaner, smarter grid.
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Xiaomi Launches YU7 Electric SUV in China with Competitive Pricing and High Performance.
Xiaomi has officially launched its first electric SUV, the Xiaomi YU7, in China, starting at RMB 253,500 ($35,350 USD). The YU7 is now available for pre-order through the Xiaomi EV app and WeChat Mini Program. Xiaomi recieved 200,000 reservations within three minutes of the order books opening.
The SUV comes in three configurations:
Standard (RWD): RMB 253,500 ($35,350 USD)
Pro (AWD): RMB 279,900 ($39,000 USD)
Max (High-performance AWD): RMB 329,900 ($46,000 USD)
Xiaomi YU7 features a sleek exterior with carefully engineered proportions that deliver a sporty and refined presence. Buyers can choose from nine exterior paint options and four interior color schemes, allowing for highly personalized combinations. Wheel options include 19-inch, 20-inch, and 21-inch designs, with range-maximizing and performance-oriented setups. Top-end models include Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires with sound insulation.
Inside, the YU7 includes the Xiaomi HyperVision Panoramic Display, a triple-screen Mini LED HUD that projects key information onto the windshield. The smart cabin is powered by Xiaomi’s HyperOS and includes voice interaction, animated virtual pets, and mic-free karaoke for parked use. The system delivers a high level of integration between entertainment, navigation, and vehicle settings.
The YU7 Standard version leads its segment with an estimated 835 km CLTC range, while AWD models reach up to 770 km CLTC. The SUV operates on an 800V silicon carbide platform and supports ultra-fast charging from 10–80% in just 12 minutes, delivering up to 620 km of range in 15 minutes. Compatibility has been tested with 99% of China’s 1.4 million public charging stations.
Powered by Xiaomi's HyperEngine V6s Plus, the Max version delivers 690 PS, a top speed of 253 km/h, and 0–100 km/h in just 3.23 seconds (2.98 seconds with rollout). This makes it the fastest SUV in its price segment under RMB 800,000.
The Xiaomi YU7 underwent extensive validation, with 10.62 million kilometers of total testing across 296 cities and extreme conditions ranging from -41°C to 53°C. The vehicle also passed multiple third-party safety and performance assessments.
The YU7 offers a strong value proposition in China’s electric SUV market, combining advanced range, charging speeds, and high-end features with a competitive price point.